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Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves smiles in the third quarter of the game against the milwaukee Bucks at Target Center on December 21, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Key Takeaways
- Anthony Edwards became the third-youngest player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career points at 24 years and 156 days old.
- He surpassed Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony with a 25-point performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
- Despite the milestone, Edwards stated he’s “got a lot more to go” and remains focused on achieving greater wins.
Anthony Edwards began 2026 by making NBA history. On Thursday (jan. 8), the Minnesota timberwolves star became the third-youngest player to score 10,000 career points. This personal achievement capped off his team’s 131-122 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Edwards joined the exclusive 10,000-point club, exceeding NBA legends like Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Carmelo Anthony and Luka Dončić. He entered the game with 9,977 points and added another 25 during the matchup. The record-breaking shot was a 13-foot baseline jumper in the fourth quarter. At 24 years and 156 days old, he trails only Kevin Durant, who reached the milestone at 24 years and 33 days old, and LeBron James, who achieved the feat at 23 years and 59 days old.
Following the game, Edwards expressed his continued ambition in reaction to the achievement. “To be honest,it’s cool,but I know I’ve got a lot more to go,so it’s really nothing,” he told reporters during the locker room Q&A. He added, “I’m kind of sick that I got in front of Kobe. I wished I would’ve waited like 100 days or something, but yeah, it’s all good.” The Atlanta native entered the league in 2020 as the first overall draft pick.
Social media exploded with Ant-Man chatter, from fantasy league players relying on his 23-point minimum to fans who anticipated a historic night. Praise for the shooting powerhouse flooded in as he secured his place on the 10,000-point leaderboard. Many fans, like Edwards, noted that with only five seasons under his belt, he is just beginning his career. After all, this is the same player who told Barack Obama, “I’m the truth.”
Anthony Edwards leads the “face of the NBA” debate
Edwards is part of a group of NBA stars, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and others, who possess the statistics, showtime factor, and gameplay to become the face of the league. However, Edwards doesn’t desire that role. “I’m capable of being that guy, but … I don’t wanna be that guy, put it like that. I wanna be that guy that shows up and hoops and just kills dudes and goes home,” he said during All-Star weekend in February 2025.
one thing remains certain: The spotlight shines on Edwards as he powers past opponents and into NBA history, with over 10,000 points solidifying his legacy.
